“This update is part of ongoing platform updates”
- by Fraser Gilbert
It’s been announced today that the Social Clubs feature on Xbox One, Series X and Series S will be removed permanently in April 2026 as part of “ongoing platform updates to focus on social experiences players use most”.
If you don’t recall what Social Clubs are, we don’t blame you to be honest! They’re quite a hidden feature on Xbox consoles these days, but you can find them by going to the Friends & Community Updates app and then navigating to “Clubs on Xbox”, where you’ll find all kinds of user-created clubs for discussion, screenshots, artwork and various other things. There are also clubs related to websites, clubs related to specific games, and more.
Here’s an example of a few Social Clubs that are said to be “top clubs” in my area right now:
Microsoft says that as of April 2026, Social Clubs will be removed entirely from the Friends & Community Updates app on Xbox consoles, and I’ve noticed today that you can’t create a new club anymore.
Instead, the company advises Xbox users to take advantage of Xbox messages, Discord, party chat and the Looking for Group feature to “stay connected and coordinate gaming sessions” with other people.
“Starting in April 2026, social clubs on Xbox will no longer be available and the Clubs on the Xbox tab will be removed from the Friends and Community Updates app. Players can utilize other features available like Xbox messages, Discord on Xbox, party chat, and Looking for Group to stay connected and coordinate their gaming sessions.”
Nevertheless, there’s one aspect of Clubs that will remain functional after April 2026, and those are the Official Clubs that are linked to specific games by their publishers. These will “remain available for developers and publishers to engage with their communities”, and you can access these by pressing the Menu button on your chosen game, selecting “Game Card”, and then hitting the “Go to Official Club” button.
To be honest, we haven’t used Social Clubs in a very long time here at Pure Xbox, but we feel sorry for those who are part of large communities like the ones in the images above & below — we hope they still manage to keep in touch!
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments section below.
[source support.xbox.com]
Fraser is the News Editor at Pure Xbox, where he spends his time reporting on the biggest stories in the world of Xbox and beyond.
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Xbox Announces Social Clubs Will Be Removed From consoles in April 2026
Xbox users should prepare for a significant change in how they engage with gaming communities. Microsoft has officially announced that Social Clubs, a feature once designed to enhance social interactions on Xbox consoles, will be permanently removed starting April 2026. This update affects Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles, marking the end of the Social Clubs experience.
What Are Xbox Social Clubs?
Xbox Social Clubs where community-driven spaces where players could create and join clubs based on their interests, favorite games, or specific activities.These clubs allowed members to:
- Connect easily with like-minded players
- Organize gaming sessions and events
- Share updates and discussions
- Find new teammates and friends
While Social Clubs aimed to strengthen the Xbox community, Microsoft found that the feature was not widely adopted or used by most players compared to other social tools available on the platform.
Why Is Xbox Removing Social Clubs?
According to official sources, Microsoft’s decision to retire Social Clubs is part of a broader plan to focus on the social experiences that players use most today. The company wants to streamline its social features and invest in more popular and actively engaged tools.
Key reasons for removal include:
- Low usage: Social Clubs did not gain enough traction among the broader Xbox community.
- Platform updates: Microsoft is refining the Xbox social ecosystem to improve overall user experience.
- Resource allocation: Removing underused features allows for better allocation toward widely used social functions like Friends lists,parties,and message systems.
Timeline and Impact of the Social Clubs Removal
The official termination takes place in april 2026, and the following changes will occur:
- All community-created Social Clubs will be shut down permanently.
- The Clubs tab will be removed from the Friends and Community Updates app on Xbox consoles.
- Official Clubs linked directly to certain games via their game cards will also be affected or folded into other social features.
This means any content, conversations, and memberships associated with Social Clubs will no longer be available after April 2026. Players who rely on these clubs for organizing in-game events or communities should plan ahead to migrate their groups to other social platforms or Xbox-supported alternatives.
Social Clubs removal Dates at a Glance
| Event | date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | February 2026 | Microsoft publicly announces the retirement plan |
| Clubs Tab Removal | April 2026 | Clubs tab removed from Xbox console apps |
| Social Clubs Shutdown | April 2026 | All community Social Clubs permanently closed |
Alternatives to xbox social Clubs
Xbox Social Clubs’ removal does not mean the end of social gaming communities on Xbox. Microsoft still supports several robust social features players can use to stay connected:
- Xbox Friends List: Manage and interact with your friends in real-time.
- Party Chat: Voice and text chat rooms to coordinate gameplay.
- Clubs via Game Cards: Some games still support club affiliations through their own interfaces.
- Xbox Mobile App & Xbox Game Pass App: Engage with friends, chat, and share achievements on the go.
- Third-Party Platforms: Utilize Discord, Reddit, and other community hubs for gaming discussions and team-building.
Useful Tips for Transitioning From Social clubs
- backup crucial club facts: Save any necessary conversations or event details before April 2026.
- Create or join Xbox Clubs within games: Look for in-game club features as an option for specific communities.
- Expand your social circle on the Xbox Friends list: Connect with new players individually if clubs are no longer available.
- Explore cross-platform chat tools: Applications like Discord offer richer social features for gamers.
- Stay updated with Xbox Support: Check official channels for any new social tools Microsoft may release.
Frequently Asked questions about Xbox Social Clubs removal
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What happens to my Social Club membership after april 2026? | All memberships and content will be deleted and inaccessible once Social Clubs are removed. |
| Will game-specific clubs remain after the removal? | official clubs linked to games may have separate handling, but most will be discontinued according to Microsoft’s plan. |
| Can I still organize gaming sessions? | Yes, through Friends lists, parties, and third-party apps like Discord. |
| Why did Microsoft remove Social Clubs? | The feature saw insufficient usage and Microsoft aims to focus on more popular social tools. |
| When precisely will the removal happen? | The permanent removal is scheduled for April 2026. |
Summary of Key changes in Xbox Social Features
| Feature | Status Post-April 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social Clubs (Community) | Removed | Community Social Clubs discontinued entirely |
| Clubs tab on xbox App | Removed | Visibility and navigation removed from Friends & Community updates app |
| Game-Linked Clubs | Limited/varies | Some linked clubs may have alternate support or shut down |
| Party Chat & Friends List | Maintained | Primary social tools enhanced and encouraged |
stay Connected Beyond Social Clubs
Xbox remains committed to supporting an engaging multiplayer experience. Players are encouraged to utilize the Friends list, party chat, and Xbox mobile apps to maintain their social connectivity.:
- Build your friends list: Add and connect with players you enjoy gaming with.
- Join or create parties: Use voice/text chat to organize sessions on the fly.
- Use game-specific social features: Many AAA titles have integrated club and clan supports directly in-game.
- Leverage cross-platform communities: Use platforms such as Discord to stay linked with your gaming groups across devices.
By adapting to these alternatives,the xbox social habitat will continue to thrive despite the removal of Social Clubs.
Source references: NeoGAF Xbox social clubs removal announcement, Tweaktown report on Xbox Social Clubs retirement
